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B3.4 Loving one�s neighbour

This module is about how we should respond to Jesus� greatest commandment to love God and Love our neighbour as ourselves. In other words how can we truly follow Jesus and be a Christian disciple. Jesus explained what he meant by neighbour in the parable of the Good Samaritan. (NB: The greatest commandment is not one of the ten!).

 A.   The Ten Commandments

Prior to Jesus the guidelines for living a good life were summarised in the 10 commandments, given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai;

�         Worship God alone

�         Do not make images of God

�         Do not use God�s name wrongly

�         Keep the Sabbath day holy

�         Respect your parents

�         Do not murder

�         Do not commit adultery

�         Do not steal

�         Do not lie

�         Do not covet

The first four commandments are about respect for God. The later six are about respect for others. It is clear that Jesus summarised these into the greatest commandment, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2055) says;

�The commandments�are summed up in this sentence, �you shall live your neighbour as yourself.�

 B.   The Sermon on the Mount

Jesus further explained the Law of Moses in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). The teaching either contradicts, or deepens the teaching of the Torah (Jewish holy book), it therefore caused great anguish for the Jews. The sermon begins with the Beatitudes, of the blessings. The sermon then continues;

Salt and Light (5:13-15)  - Faith is precious, it should not be lost or hidden away.

The fulfilment of the law (5:17-20) � Jesus claims he has not come to break the laws, but fulfil them.

Murder (5:21-26) � Not only is murder wrong, but so is it to be angry. Rather reconciliation should be sought.

Adultery (5:27-30) � To look at someone in lust is adultery.

Divorce (5:31-32) � Divorce is wrong and forces adultery.

Oaths (5:33-37) � God�s name should not be used in making oaths, or any other dealings.

An eye for an eye (5:38-42) � All revenge is wrong, rather we should seek reconciliation.

Love for enemies (5:43-48) � Be like God and love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

The next three are about displaying Religion;

Giving to the Needy (6:1-4) � If Christians give to the poor it should be in secret.

Prayer (6:5-15) � Pray in private. The prayers do not need to be long, rather pray the Our Father.

Fasting (6:16-18) � No one should know a Christian was fasting.

Treasures in Heaven (6:19-24) � Christians should live lives that give treasure in Heaven not on earth.

Do not worry (6:25-34) � Jesus cares for people�s physical needs also, therefore they need not worry, just do what God wants.

Judging others (7:1-6) � Followers should not judge others, but look for what is wrong in themselves first.

Ask, seek, knock (7:7-12) � Jesus is always ready to treat others, as he would want to be treated. We should do the same. This is known as the golden rule.

The narrow and wide gates (7:13-14) � The path to Heaven is difficult, the path to hell is easy.

The Tree and Its Fruit (7:15-23) � Jesus warned of false prophets. The only way to distinguish a disciple of Jesus is by their actions.

The wise and foolish builders (7:24-29) � Jesus claims discipleship needs to be based on listening and actions.

C.   Features of Discipleship

As expressed in the Sermon on the Mount, a Christian disciple should be evident by their actions. Jesus calls his disciples and sends them out. He claims the costs of discipleship are hard, but the rewards of eternal life are great. At the end of his life he sends all his followers out to continue his work in the commission. Jesus gives much advice along the way in parables such as the Good Samaritan, parables of the Kingdom, parable of the forgiving father, parable of the talents, parable of the sheep and the goats and the parable of the unmerciful servant. Christians should express their values in many ways;

�         Service to others

�         Compassion for those who suffer

�         Concern for the causes of suffering

�         Helping those in need

�         Seeking justice for the oppressed

 D.  Exemplary Christians of the twentieth Century

 Helder Camara

�       Born in Brazil in 1909

�       Became a priest

�       In the early days he believed the church should support the government

�       In 1952 became the bishop of Rio de Janeiro and began to visit the shantytowns.

�       Began to recognise the poverty gap.

�       Became archbishop of Recife

�       Began to challenge the government on behalf of the poor.

�       Supported liberation theology with the belief that Jesus came to liberate the poor.

�       He was attacked by the government and perceived to be revolutionary

�       He was attacked be priests who used violence

�       He believed only in non-violent action on behalf of the poor.

�       He was nominated for a Nobel peace prize, but the Brazilian government opposed it.

 Mother Teresa

�       Born in 1910 in Yugoslavia

�       At the age of 17, became a nun in Ireland

�       She was sent to Calcutta to teach Geography.

�       Teresa hated the fact that so many poor people in the area had no chance of education.

�       Teresa spent two years receiving medical training

�       She founded a school for slum children in 1948

�       She was given a disused Hindu temple by the government to which she took people who were dying.

�       Teresa called it �The place of the pure heart�.

�       Women joined Mother Teresa and her order became the missionaries of charity.

�       The order kept the school going and set up more homes for the dying

�       Mother Teresa set up leprosy centres.

�       Mother Teresa became known worldwide and received a Nobel peace prize in 1979.

E.   Passages and References

You do not have to know all of these, but they may be useful.

Ten commandments � Exodus 20:1-21

Beatitudes � Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon on the Mount � Matthew 5-7

Good Samaritan � Luke 10:25-37

Parables of the Kingdom � Matthew 13

Parable of the forgiving father � Luke 15:11-32

Parable of the Talents � Matthew 25:14-30

Parable of the sheep and the goats � Matthew 25:31-46

Parable of the unmerciful servant � Matthew 18:23-35

Calling of the disciples � Mark 1:16-20

Sending out of the disciples � Mark 3:13-19

The Mission of the Twelve � Mark 6: 7-13